Early Interventionist

The Early Interventionist provides home & community based developmental therapy to infants and toddlers who meet Tennessee’s definition of eligibility under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). All services and supports, to the greatest extent possible, will be provided in the child’s natural environment in accordance with the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Services are designed to reflect goals established by the family as well as complement family strengths and resources.

The Early Interventionist provides pertinent information, guidance, and encouragement to families continuously. Developmental therapy includes family-centered visits, ongoing six-month progress assessments, and connecting families with resources to help their child reach optimal development during the crucial early years of life.

Essential Functions.

The following list is not meant to be all-encompassing. There are many individual responsibilities and tasks that this position requires. Additional duties may be required, depending on the needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Implement services as outlined on the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), as goals are family centered and written with the child and family’s routine in mind.

• Conduct or participate in the timely evaluations and/or ongoing assessments (AEPS) of children.

• Work closely with family members, caregivers, childcare center teachers, therapists, and Point of Entry TEIS staff to help each child reach goals.

• Availability to accommodate appointment times during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, for families when requested. Early evening appointments may be necessary (5-6pm).

• Though most visits will be conducted in the child’s natural environment, there may be occasion that the service is provided via teleintervention. This type of virtual visits must be agreed upon and based off each child’s IFSP.

• Represent Easter Seals TN. at various community events supporting families and/or young children.

Other Duties and Responsibilities.

• Serve assigned number of children and their families accordingly by successful delivery of direct service hours. Missed visits are to be rescheduled.

• Complete a daily record of each child’s direct service in Tennessee Early Intervention Database System (TEIDS); documentation includes a service log and all communications between families and TEIS Service Coordinator. The State shall review this documentation during monitoring, and/or upon request. Additional related program records include; attendance record, updated calendar, and all essential information as requested. All necessary records are to be completed in a timely and comprehensive manner.

• Participate in monthly/quarterly supervisory sessions and monthly staff meetings. Agency and employee evaluations are conducted annually in order to set personal goals for self-development and assist agency in continual support for employees.

• Participate in on-going trainings regarding both required and best practices related to the provision of quality early intervention services.

• Promote public awareness by preparing and distributing material and/or information to primary referral sources, parents, and the general public on early intervention services.

• Demonstrate a superior level of knowledge about what promotes optimal infant, toddler, and child development.

• Demonstrate a superior level of knowledge about what promotes optimal parent-child interaction.

Work Environment.

The work environment is primarily the child’s natural environment which includes; parents, grandparents, or other caregiver’s residency, daycares, parks, and other places that parents may request for a personal visit to occur. Working environment also includes Easter Seals TN. office/cubical space for preparing, scheduling, and maintaining necessary job duties.

Education and Training

• Must hold a baccalaureate and/or masters and/or doctorate degree in early childhood special education, early childhood education, child and family studies (child development), early intervention, deaf education or visual disabilities, special education K-12, elementary education, communication disorders, speech language pathology, and/or related field. Related field means a degree in social work, nursing, psychology, education administration, or sociology. Related field degrees require a minimum of three (3) years documented experience working with children with disabilities 0-5 years of age and their families.

• Graduate degrees earned are to be from an accredited institution of higher learning as listed in the U.S. Department of Education’s database.

Experience

• Experience working with young children and families

• Experience working with children with special needs

• Early Childhood trainings

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to establish good rapport with caregivers, children, staff members, and other community agency/service providers

• Sensitive to service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics

• Wide knowledge of infant-toddler development

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills

• Good driving record and insurable

• Ability to represent the program to parents and the community in a courteous and professional manner

Desirable Requirements

• Bilingual

• American Sign Language